Scripture for the Fourth Saturday in Lent

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” ~ Luke 18:9-14

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Amen.

Read an E-Book Week Coming to an End

Tomorrow is the last day to download free or discounted e-books for Read an E-Book Week.

You can find all my books on my Smashwords page.

I’ve been intrigued by the number of times different books have been downloaded as of early Friday morning. The books I’m giving away are listed below in order of popularity so far this week:

• Trapped by Love: A Novelette—a short romance that is always free 
• Fern’s Fancies—contemporary romance
• Dream or Destiny—romantic mystery
• Stroke of Luck—contemporary romance
• The Secrets of Fantastic Houseplants—plant care guide
• Preserving Memories: How to Write a Family History—how-to guide
• Finding the Information You Need: Research Tips for Your Family, Business, or Personal Pursuits—how-to guide and resource

Among the fiction titles, with one exception, the shorter titles are downloaded more often than longer titles. In fact, the last time I checked, Trapped by Love has been downloaded 456 times, and the other six titles have been downloaded a total of 456 times.  The exception is Stroke of Luck, which is shorter than Dream or Destiny but has been downloaded fewer times.

The same pattern holds true in the nonfiction. Coincidence? I wonder. It would be logical to assume that people would choose how-to guides on the basis of topics of interest. Houseplants probably have more general appeal than writing family histories, but I was surprised that the research how-to was at the bottom of the list. It includes nearly 100 links to helpful sites, three case studies of different types of research, and lots of tips on finding information from other people, in the library, and online.

If you have any insights on whether shorter books are, in fact, more popular in general or if this pattern is mere chance, please share your thoughts in comments.

If you haven’t downloaded your free or discounted books yet, be sure to do it by the end of the day on Saturday. You can find free books at Smashwords and Read an E-book Week as well as individual author and publisher Web sites.

I hope you download my free e-books this week. If you enjoy them, consider leaving a review (or at least at rating) on Smashwords or a community such as Goodreads.

If you don’t like them, post a review anyway. You might write something like this: “This book was worth every penny I paid for it.” Every free book is worth at least what you paid for it, and mine are no exception.

Scripture for the Fourth Friday in Lent

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. ~ Mark 12:28-34 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, I love You with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, but I don’t always live like I do. Forgive me for letting the cares of the world come between us, and help me to focus on You and serve You. I need even more help, Father, with loving my neighbor as myself. Some neighbors are difficult to love, but those are the ones who need it most—the ones You want me to love the most. Forgive my failures and help me to reflect Your love to my fellowman. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Scripture for the Fourth Thursday in Lent

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ~ Luke 11:14-23 (ESV)

Lord God, I will stand with You. I will gather with You. I will be part of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture for the Fourth Wednesday in Lent

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 5:17-19

Lord God Almighty, You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Your Word, both Old and New Testament, abides forever. Help me to follow Your laws and keep Your commandments. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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